The latest on California politics and government

July 21, 2011

Assemblyman Martin Garrick was quickly released from custody after being cited on suspicion of drunken driving last month because he was severely sick, an arrest report released Thursday shows.

Vomiting and suffering from stomach pains and diarrhea, the Solana Beach Republican could barely produce a measurable breath test. He eventually agreed to a blood test, which later revealed his blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent. California Highway Patrol officers released him into the custody of an Assembly sergeant-at-arms. Garrick's arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Three bicycle officers flagged him down June 15 just before 10 p.m. when they saw him speed past a stop sign at 11th and O streets. He eventually drove his state-owned vehicle into the Capitol garage before officers tracked him down as he left the car. They described Garrick as having "slurred mumbled" speech, a "strong" scent of alcohol and "red, watery" eyes.

Garrick told officers he had been eating spaghetti, meatballs and bread at a friend's house. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Garrick said he had three glasses of red wine during the course of the previous three hours. He struggled through field sobriety tests.

The report says Garrick "denied feeling intoxicated at the time of the stop and stated he was driving expeditiously because he was having severe stomach pain and diarrhea."

Officers took him to Sacramento County's main jail to get a chemical sample of his breath, but ultimately had to take a blood sample.

The arresting CHP officer ultimately determined that "due to Garrick's condition and the possibility of an extended examination at a local hospital," a member of the Assembly's special services unit would provide for Garrick's safety, the report said.